The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-13
SONGS OF THELONG AGO
Old Melodies That Thrilled the
Hearts of Our Ancestors.
EVOLUTION OF THE POPULAR TUNE

How many Of the popular songs OF twenty
years ago can the old boys of today recall?
How many of the old melodies that thrilled
them in the days Of their hot youth have
found an abiding place in their memory?
The evolution of the popular song presents
striking illustration Of the survival Of the I'M
fittest
The great sentimental success of the ante
war period was undoubtedly "Ben Bolt"
The untimely death of something loveable and
beautiful was the usual theme of the senti-
mental song Of that period, though it varied
occasionally in order to picture the heart
havoc caused by the separation Of slave
lovers. "Ben Bolt was splendid illustra-
ton Of the prevailing theme. 1t was hummed,
whistled, sung and played on musical instru-
ments for more than decade. 1t was inn
mensely popular with the young ladies', many
Alice" was shrined in every sentimental
females heart, and the question of the day
was
Don't you remember sweet Alice Ben Bolt,
Sweet Alice with her hair so brown?
She wet with delight when you gave bor a smile
And t1embled with fear TT your frown.
Sharing "Ben Bolts" popularity during the
same period were two songs widely sung by
Dan Emmett Dan Bryant and other MINISTRIES.
These were "Nelie Gray" and 90, Susan
nah" both depicting the sufferings of slave
lovers. Nellie Gray" swept the country like
a cyclone.
They rave taken you away,
And II never my darling any more
was heard on every side and voiced by every
tongue.
80, dear Susannah," was built more in the
comic way, and the rGques: Don't you cry
for me" was based on the consoliBg fact that
"J'm going 10 Alabama with the banjo on my
kpo3."
The pessimistic strain in which the fate of
certain cold Niger" popularity known as
"Uncle Ned" was hemoaned was well known
before Nellie Gray or ''Susannah" appeared.
Dan Enmett's ''Dixie" and Fosters Swan
ee River" have proven the most prominent of
the ante-War melodies "A sentimental ballad
called "LoreEa' was great favorite in the
COS, and for thirty years previous the appear
anee and philosophy of cold Rosin the Bow"
YVES known to everyone.
A state OF warfare has always proved con-
ducive to song. Tho fourishing condition of
Ininstrolsy in ages past was due largely TO the
warlile and adventurous spirit of the times.
During the civil war both sides were prolific in
song-lnaiSng. The south made the first great
hit with Randalis Maryland, My Maryland"
The "Bonne Blue Flag" was the southern
national air, and was to the boys in gray what
yankee Doodle" was TO the boys in blue. The
southern women aIdenty took it up, and
through every city rang the chorus:
Iurrahl Hurrah, for southern rights of war,
HWrahl for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the
single star
OF the sentimental songs of the war period,
the most popular were Fairy Bell" Annie
Mother toll the Bell for Lovely Nell" and
"Whon This Cruel War Is Over" In the
north, "Wat for the Wagon" and Champ,
Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are Marching had
great success during the same period, and
the others that ran riot through camp and fire.
side were MARY Blame, "Old Cabin Home,
Alrt4iF II If with Golden Hair, and spaia5F
Dean" Who has forgotten DAISY Dean"
and its wistful chorus: